In Virginia Senate primary, George Allen bests GOP rivals

Jun. 12, 2012 11:01 PMAssociated Press

RICHMOND, Va. - Former Sen. George Allen easily defeated three lesser-known conservative Republican challengers Tuesday in Virginia's primaries, earning a shot at regaining the seat he lost six years ago in a race both parties consider critical to controlling the U.S. Senate.

With 99 percent of the vote counted, Allen had 65 percent of the vote. His nearest rival, "tea party" leader Jamie Radtke, had 23 percent, state legislator Bob Marshall had 7 percent and Chesapeake minister E.W. Jackson had 5 percent.

Allen will face Democrat Tim Kaine, who is also a former governor, in the Nov. 6 election. The former Democratic National Committee chairman was unopposed for his party's nomination.

Elsewhere Tuesday, Maine, Nevada, Arkansas and South Carolina also held primary elections -- with most of those states choosing Senate nominees -- as did North Dakota.

In North Dakota, Rep. Rick Berg defeated businessman Duane Sand in the state's Republican primary. Berg now faces Democrat Heidi Heitkamp in the November race to replace retiring Sen. Kent Conrad. The election is also expected to play a critical role in determining which party controls the Senate next year.

In Nevada, Republican Sen. Dean Heller and Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley easily defeated a slate of political unknowns in their respective primaries. Their fall race also will be one of the most competitive in the country.

In Maine, six Republicans and four Democrats were running to fill the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe. The front-runner, former Gov. Angus King, wasn't on the ballot because he's running as an independent.

No statewide races were part of the Arkansas and South Carolina primaries.